“And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.” (Isaiah 65:19)
Isaiah is prophesying about life in the new earth. We think of how peaceful and joyful the people will be, but in this verse, the LORD is saying He will rejoice in Jerusalem. The word that Isaiah used which was translated rejoice is “gheel or gool” in Hebrew meaning so joyous that He is spinning around or dancing around for joy. His Word is fulfilled, and He is filled with emotion.
In another verse when Isaiah is prophesying about the coming salvation of Jerusalem, he writes, “...and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” (Isaiah 62:5) The words Isaiah used here for rejoice is not “gheel or gool,” but to be delighted in Jerusalem and the second rejoice means to make mirth.
Both Jews and Christians are looking forward to this time. It’s God’s fulfillment of all the covenants He made with man and creation. There are many questions unanswered about this time. If the old earth is destroyed, who are these people who will be living on the new earth? When we think we have understanding of something, in reality, we don’t know the might and reality of the Lord. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) We don’t have understanding all the details of this time. But God’s Word will be fulfilled. And just as the prophets of old foretold of the coming Messiah and His New Covenant, but didn’t have complete understanding, we know about the new earth and the new heaven, but don’t have complete understanding of that time.
The prophet Zephaniah, who was a descendant of King Hezekiah, also prophesies about the new Jerusalem. “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17) In the last phrase, Zephaniah uses the word “gheel or gool” which was translated joy. God is so full of emotion that He dances or spins around with joy over His people. It could be the translators could not imagine that.
When we think of times of great joy in our lives, we might remember doing a little jig or dance of joy. Why would we think that the Lord is incapable of having such joy in His people that He wouldn’t dance for joy. Our God is full of emotion. The Scriptures tell of His delight, His joy and His anger. God’s original purpose for man will be fulfilled. He is so full of joy; He dances over His people.
While in the New Testament we don’t find any Scripture specifically that says God dances over us, it may be because of the sacredness of the Cross and the sacrificial work of Jesus, but long have preachers related the parable of the prodigal son to our heavenly Father, waiting for us to come to our senses. And what does the father do when the prodigal son returns? He throws a party. And people are dancing. “Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.” (Luke 15:25) Although it doesn’t say it, I’m sure the father was dancing for joy. When Jesus told the parable of the woman who found the lost coin, He adds, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:10) And also at the end of the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus says, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7) I’ve heard many people many times say, “There is a party in heaven when a sinner repents.” What is a joyous party without dancing? There is dancing at weddings.
I wonder if there will be dancing at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.” (Revelation 19:7) The word that was translated rejoice means to jump for joy. It will be a time of great joy. Our bodies will be glorified. The expression of dancing for joy may not be necessary. But if God will dance over the New Jerusalem, we just might be dancing at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
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